Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tim Walberg voted in favor of HR 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011.  The legislation wouldhelp working families without raising taxes or borrowing from the Social Security Trust fund.

Specifically, HR 3630 would:

• Extend the payroll tax holiday.Extends a two-percentage point reduction in the Social Security payroll tax rate through 2012. Additionally, the cost would be offset by a congressional and federal employee pay freeze, along with cutting waste from government programs.
• Reform Unemployment Insurance.  Provides a safety net for those who lost their job, but also equip them to find work.  All recipients are required to search for work and take part in a General Education Development (GED) program if they did not graduate from high school. Additionally, states will be given the option to require UI applicants be screened and tested for drug use before receiving any benefits.
• Speed-up work on the Keystone XL oil pipeline. Requires the president to make a decision within 60 days on whether to grant a permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline.  The project is predicted to create 20,000 construction jobs immediately.
• ProtectMedicare patients.  The provision will make sure physicians who take on Medicare patients will not face deep cuts in reimbursements, which would result in the reduction of the number of medical providers serving those who depend on Medicare benefits.
• Addresses flood maps. Includes Rep. Walberg’s successfully offered amendment to H.R. 1309, the Flood Insurance Reform Act, implementing a moratorium on the issuance and implementation of new flood maps until the Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC) has completed its due diligence, issued a report on mapping standards, and increased the integrity of the mapping process.

“Today, I voted to prevent a tax increase on middle class families, preserve access to Medicare, help struggling families and encourage job creation.  As we move forward, I hope the President and Senate will refrain from advocating tax hikes on small businesses or standing in the way private sector energy investment that would create construction jobs immediately,” commented Congressman Walberg following the vote.